I always think that graphics is a part of architecture, and it is never something just for presentation. Architecture IS graphics in some way, and there is no doubt that architects should have good graphic sense, if not having good graphic skills.

It is alarming, though, that many of the young graduates from the architectural schools have a rather weak sense in graphics. I am not saying that I am very good at graphics and so I can compare people to people, but it is like a prevailing phenomenon that when many architects are working on projects which are based on money, they are losing the design skills and eventually losing the graphics skill. Some may think that losing graphics skills is not a good deal because they just don't know how to do presentation panels. That's not true.

With no surprise, we know that when architects design, we draw. We think from a graphical way instead of really just calculating anything. We do have rational thinking behind, but after all it is the aesthetics that governs a design and make it architectural instead of just making a building. We cannot simply depend on words or numbers simply because that is not the way.

Design cannot be pushed.

Too bad in many firms here, we are bounded by time and money. We get a job after winning a tender, and then we try to figure out a design within a very limited of time. Of course, we build it within a very short time too. Everything is done extremely fast, and apparently architects cannot always do what they like. Design cannot be pushed. You have to research, be inspired, think and work out options. Gradually, many architects including my classmates work with technical things every day like calculating how to fit more space within structures, picking proprieties within budgets and finding ways to finish the construction within limited time.

One may say it is another kind of design process, and I agree. The main point here is that we are losing the basic skills of design. We THINK, and that's what makes us different. We don't think randomly, but we think in a special way like we are taught in school. I wonder, if we are doing those kinds of work I mentioned above, how different are we from a surveyor or engineer? Or just a interior-designer?

They are losing the design skills and eventually losing the graphics skill.

But why graphics? What is that to do with graphics? Good question. Graphics is what and how we architects THINK. It presents the ideas in our mind in solid form, acting like an intermediate step between thoughts and reality. I can't imagine the time when we don't draw on tracing paper anymore, since it is to show others what is on your mind. It is also the best way to represent aesthetics, because the drawing IS aesthetics.

I want to give a piece of advice to my colleagues and friends who are architects-to-be: draw, please. Be graphical, because that's what an architect does.

Today I went out to lunch with one of my past older schoolmates, and she was to register as an architect. However, her real interest lies in painting actually, and she wants to be a painter. She said, that was really her career, not being an architect.

She should have shown her paintings to others but she actually kept all the works to herself. She didn't really want to publicize what she did, and she mentioned something about publishing.

The reason why she was not to publish her paintings, either posting them up or photographing them and showing to others, is that comments from the public would lead to many undesirable effects. Art is something personal, and may not be subject to different comments from the audience. She told me that someone once said that publication was the death of an artist.

Comments should help an artist, assuming that they are from people who can practise self-discipline.

Being talked about isn't something nice at all sometimes. I have far too much experience in this. You know, I do digital art and posting my pieces up is just too easy. Sites like deviantART encourage people to submit and receive comments. They started from a good intention and the functions should help the artists in a good way, but it is all assumed that the people who comment can practise self-discipline.

Unfortunately, many of the people in our world aren't that considerate. Togther with the fast speed over the Internet, things are fast food and you can't expect the others to think too much before saying anything. Quickly, bad comments start to spawn all over the place, no matter they are from good intention or jealousy. One thing is certain: if you don't like it, you should shut up. Ironically, I guess only 10% of the world know this and really shut up when they come across something they are not into.

Publication is the death of many artists.

When an artist faces these comments, especially the ones that accuse him or her for something that he or she didn't intend, one can imagine a hot discussion would commence in an uncontrollable way (for most of the time). In the end, an artist will be easily stray away in order to fit into the general taste, unconsciously or consciously.

My friend said, if you were so confident with your work, and if you were so sure about what you were doing, you didn't really need any comments. Yes, that is when you were a good artist already or even a maestro. In a way I have to agree. I don't think I am a master, but I guess I don't need any more comments or suggestions from people especially those from deviantART who are mostly abusing their "freedom of speech". I only need wise words from masters that I admire, I guess. At least, Shakespeare probably didn't need comments from others every time he made a masterpiece.

By the way, I just can't believe France lost. Sigh...